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The Best Five National Parks in America

by Peter Stringer
written by Peter Stringer
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook in Yellowstone National ParkFawn PassRoosevelt ArchA close up look at snow on the canyon walls at Yellowstone National ParkThe banks of the Yellowstone River just south of Livingston, MontanaThe Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone RiverDouble Arch at Arches National Park in Moab, UtahArches National ParkArches National ParkBalanced Rock at Arches National ParkArizona's Joshua Tree ForestJoshua Tree National ParkJoshua Tree National ParkZion National Park in the snowZion National Park in the snowZion National Park in the SnowShuttle at Zion National ParkZion National ParkApgar Amphitheatre at Lake MacDonald in Glacier National Park

Looking to visit your first National Park? While you could visit any of the 63 parks and not likely come away disappointed, there’s a few that stand above the pack for their spectacular scenery and awe-inspiring features. Here’s our ranking of the best National Parks in America.

Where should you start? Here’s a rundown of five of our favorite National Parks. Be aware: they’re all popular, and these days, overcrowding can be an issue depending on the time of year of your visit. Also, depending on which park you visit, you may cross paths with wild animals.

It’s also worth noting that many of the parks sit within a few hundred miles of each other, which makes it possible to visit more than one on a short trip. Got more time? With a little more planning, you could stop in at multiple parks and take in a lot of America’s grandeur in one amazing journey.

So, here’s a few of our favorites, in no particular order.

#1
Glacier National Park (U.S.)
Whether you’re taking in the vista at the Apgar Amphitheatre, hiking to Avalanche Lake or driving up Going-To-The-Sun Road, you’ll be blown away by untamed nature at Glacier.
#2
Zion National Park
Zion National Park in the Snow
The next time you book a Vegas trip, leave a few days for a side trip to Zion. From Angels’ Landing to The Narrows, you’ll be captivated by jaw-dropping visuals. Bonus points: go to the park in January after it’s been covered in a blanket of snow.
#3
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Just a few hours from either San Diego or Los Angeles, Joshua Tree is an easy drive once you escape the urban sprawl. No two Joshua trees look alike (OK, we can’t prove that, but still…) and they cut magnificent profiles across the desert. You won’t be disappointed.
#4
Arches National Park
Delicate Arch at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah
Moab, Utah isn’t really that close to any major cities, so you’ll have to drive a bit to get there, no matter from where you come. But those miles will pay off, as the park offers some of the best scenery and other-worldly landscapes you’ll see in America.
#5
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Among the most famous of the National Parks, Yellowstone features diverse landscapes and features and offers sights, sounds and smells making it a total sensory experience. And you’re almost guaranteed to get a few wildlife encounters at safe distances just by driving through the park.
Peter Stringer

Peter is a co-founder of Amazing America. He's a travel junkie and photography enthusiast based in Florida. He's been to 48 states and 41 National Parks.

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